UCA CareerLaunch 2025
The University of Central Asia (UCA)’s Cooperative Education Programme successfully organised CareerLaunch 2025, a two-day event held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on March 19-20, and in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on March 18-19. Bringing together students, alumni, and representatives from leading organisations, the event served as a platform to foster professional connections and equip young professionals with the tools needed to transition from university to the workforce.
In Bishkek, the first day of the event was hosted at Ololo Planet and welcomed over 130 participants, including 52 students, 10 alumni, and representatives from 33 prominent companies. Employers such as AKF, EPAM Systems, OSCE Academy, CCI Kyrgyzstan, Jubilee, and KICB engaged with students through networking sessions, CV submissions, and industry insights. HR professionals provided guidance on career paths, successful applications, and industry expectations. The main exhibition hall facilitated direct interactions between students and potential employers, while a networking coffee break encouraged informal discussions and meaningful connections.
Building on this momentum, the second day in Bishkek shifted the focus towards postgraduate education, professional development, and the evolving job market. The event commenced with a keynote speech by Cholponbek Jumashukurov, Co-founder of Highland Capital, who shared three key habits for career success: proactivity, self-honesty, and embracing individuality. Two panel discussions followed, offering valuable insights into post-graduation opportunities. The first, “Advancing Your Education – Opportunities After Graduation”, moderated by Victoria Orazova from the OSCE Academy, featured experts from UCA International Office, DAAD, EdNet, Chevening, Fulbright and Eldik Bank discussing scholarship opportunities and postgraduate pathways. The second panel, “The Future of Work – Skills & Trends”, moderated by Samat Niiazbekov from Kompanion Bank, brought together industry leaders from HTP, KyoHealth, Lalafo, Accelerate Prosperity and AvicennaKG to discuss technological advancements, digital transformation, and the essential skills required for career readiness.
Meanwhile, in Dushanbe, CareerLaunch 2025 provided a similar platform for professional networking, taking place at the Hyatt Regency. Over 110 participants, including 24 students, 20 alumni, and representatives from 30 organisations such as the World Food Programme, UNHCR, IOM, AKAH, Tcell, BORDA, and the Embassy of Japan, engaged in dynamic career-building activities. Designed in a fair-style format, the event allowed organisations to host dedicated tables for speed networking rounds, enabling participants to explore job and internship opportunities, gain industry insights, and develop valuable professional connections.
Continuing the momentum in Dushanbe, the second day was held at TechnoHub and opened with a keynote speech by Farangis Taygunshoeva, Senior Programme Officer at Global Encounters, who highlighted the transformative role of education in career growth. Two panel discussions addressed critical topics relevant to career development. The first, “Postgraduate Scholarship Opportunities”, moderated by Nilufar Qambarova from JICA, featured representatives from Erasmus+, Chevening, MEXT, and the OSCE Academy, who provided guidance on securing postgraduate scholarships. The second panel, “The Future of Work – Skills & Trends”, moderated by Gulru Azatshoeva from AKF Tajikistan, gathered experts from AP, IOM, GIZ, and IFPRI to discuss emerging job market trends and the essential skills required for professional adaptability. Interactive Q&A sessions and networking opportunities further ensured that students could engage directly with panelists and industry professionals, fostering meaningful career development.
With its comprehensive approach to career readiness, CareerLaunch 2025 in Bishkek and Dushanbe successfully provided students and young professionals with essential resources, industry connections, and career insights. Organised by UCA’s Cooperative Education Programme, the event facilitated direct engagement with industry leaders and offered guidance on both employment and postgraduate opportunities, reinforcing UCA’s role as a catalyst for professional growth and career success.
